What Type of Nipple Are You?

Let’s just say that if variety is the spice of life, then nipples make livin’ real tasty. But did you know that there are actually, like, clinical categories of nips? The size and color of the areola, the amount of Montgomery glands and the shape and appearance of the teat itself all contribute to the aesthetic, while other terms describe the lack of elasticity of the muscle tissue that makes up the nipple. Find out which one your tits fit.

So I asked my midwife about it and learned that there are different categories of nipples, which are defined according to protrusion. Here, we break down the different classifications of nipples.

Normal

These nipples protrude a few millimeters from the areola at their regular state, but protrude further upon arousal, temperature changes, or tactile stimulation.

Flat

Flat nipples are not everted at their normal state. They are just like they sound: Flat; blending into the areola. Flat nipples will protrude, albeit less so than “normal” nipples, upon stimulation, temperature changes and arousal. Flat nipples have the ability to turn into “normal” nipples when breastfeeding draws them out.

Puffy

Puffy nipples have most of the same characteristics of “flat” nipples, the only difference being that in “puffy” nipples, the areola is raised up off the breast.

Inverted

Inverted nipples occur when the lactiferous ducts do not get properly stretched during puberty. Inverted nipples have a dimpled appearance, folding into the areola. Much like with flat nipples, inverted nipples can be drawn out from the body either through cosmetic surgery, breastfeeding, nipple shields, or sex toys like nipple clamps, all of which loosen up the tissue. There are three subcategories, or “grades,” of inverted nipples.

Grade 1These nipples can occasionally become everted from arousal, temperature changes, and stimulation. They can also protrude through manipulation by lightly squeezing fingers around the areola, a few centimeters behind the nipple. Grade 1 nipples will maintain protrusion without retracting. Breastfeeding is possible with Grade 1 nipples.

Grade 2These nipples can be pulled out—though not as easily—through the same manipulation method as Grade 1 nipples. However, Grade 2 nipples retract back into the areola after finger pressure is released. Breastfeeding is possible with Grade 2 nipples, but will present problems.

Grade 3These nipples are severely retracted into the areola, meaning they cannot be pulled out through physical manipulation, and typically require surgery in order to protrude. The milk ducts tend to be constricted, rendering breastfeeding impossible.

Unilateral

This is when one nipple is inverted while the other is not. Kind of like boobs are winking at you.

Despite the fact that “normal” is one of these categories, one study indicates that “28 to 35 percent of women…have nipples that don’t protrude that well,” meaning that “abnormal” nipples are actually pretty common. And about 10% of all nips are considered “inverted.” That’s like the same statistic of the population of homosexual people. So, when you think about it that way, statistically, you probably have a cousin with inverted nipples (if you don’t have them yourself). But no matter if your tits are long or short or dark or pale or in or out or even sporting a few stray hairs (hey, it happens!), nobody who’s lucky enough to see them is ever going to complain.